DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Edinburgh-North Berwick
When DMUs were introduced this service ran from Corstorphine station. They stopped in Edinburgh Waverley on their way to North Berwick. The Corstorphine Branch closed on 1 January 1968 and the service would then use Edinburgh Waverley as its western terminus.
The first DMUs on the service were a pair of Met-Camm Lightweights borrowed from the Eastern Region which were used for eight weeks from July 1956.
GRC&W Twins took over the services on 3 February 1958. In the run up to the introduction the Scottish Region placed a series of adverts in local newspapers to build public interest in the diesels.
The Gloucesters remained the staple traction on the line until their downfall from the ScR in the early 1970s and Met-Camms became the norm. The ScR had some Class 108s circa 1966 and these could be found on the services, and from the late 1970s other types such as 104, 105, 107, 116 and 120s would be noted. Sprinters appeared from 1987 alongside the first generation units, the line was electrified in 1991.
Sample Timetables
3rd until 15th February, 1958
Scan courtesy of John Horne
17th February, 1958 until further notice
6 1/4" x 10"
15th September, 1958 to 14th June, 1959
10" x 6 1/4"
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 29 (1 mb pdf).
11th September, 1961 to 17th June, 1962
19th June to 8th September, 1963
11th October, 1965 to 17 April, 1966
until 29th April, 1972
until 3 May 1975
5 May 1975 to 1 May 1976
3 May 1976 to 30 April 1977
12 May, 1980 to 10 May, 1981
Images
circa August 1956
A Scottish Region publicity image showing a Met-Camm "Lightweight" DMU (E79055 and presumably E79271) in Corstorphine station. Image courtesy of AA McLean. British Railways.
September 1956
A Met-Camm "Lightweight" DMU seen at Craigentinny in September 1956, presumably with a North Berwick - Corstorphine service. Stuart Mackay Collection.
4th September 1956
A Met-Camm "Lightweight" DMU passing Craigentinny signal box on 4 September 1956, presumably on a Corstorphine - North Berwick service. Stuart Mackay Collection.
10th September 1956
A Met-Camm Lightweight DMU seen passing Craigentinny signal box on 10 September 1956 probably on a Corstorphine - North Berwick service. Stuart Mackay Collection.
3rd February 1958
Only a few days after delivery, GRC&W twin set Sc56314 + Sc51122 sits in Corstorphine station with a North Berwick service on 3 February 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
3rd February 1958
Delivered the week before, GRC&W twin set Sc51122 + Sc56314 sits in Corstorphine station with a North Berwick service on 3 February 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
3rd February 1958
GRC&W twin set Sc51122 + Sc56314, just a few days after delivery, sits in Corstorphine station with a North Berwick service on 3 February 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
3rd February 1958
The staff have a chit-chat before departure time for the North Berwick service at Corstorphine on 3 February 1958. The train is formed of GRC&W twin set Sc51122 + Sc56314, delivered new just the week before. Stuart Mackay Collection.
15th March 1958
A GRC&W twin set heading for North Berwick at Craigentinny on 15 March 1958. DTCL Sc56315 leads. Stuart Mackay Collection.
30th June 1958
A GRC&W set working a North Berwick service is seen at Drem on June 30, 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
14th July 1958
A GRC&W twin set at Drem on July 14 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
14th July 1958
A GRC&W twin set at Drem working a North Berwick service on 14 July 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
14th July 1958
A GRC&W twin set arrives into Derm station with a Corstorphine service on 14 July 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
14th July 1958
A GRC&W twin set in Drem station with a North Berwick service on 14 July 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
22nd May 1962
The 1.25pm Corstorphine - North Berwick service is seen during the Edinburgh Waverley stop on 22 May 1962. The GRC&W twin set has DMBS Sc51126 closest. Taken from the footbridge that forms the station exit to Leith Walk. Michael Mensing.
2nd May 1964
The driver reads his paper while he awaits to depart North Berwick on the 1.30pm to Corstorphine, 2/5/64. Hamish Stevenson.
2nd May 1964
SC56317 leads a Gloucester twin on a North Berwick service at Drem Junction on 2 May 1964. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1st September 1964
A GRC&W twin in Joppa station with a North Berwick service, presumably from Corstorphine, on 1 September 1964 - only days before the station closed. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1966
A Derby twin set (later Class 108) in Corstorphine station in 1966. Scotland had just two driver trailer sets at this time, 50610 + 56201 and 50611 + 56202. Walter Burt.
2nd December 1967
A Gloucester twin departs from Balgreen Halt on 2 December 1967 with a Corstorphine service - presumably from North Berwick. Stuart Mackay Collection.